Weekly E-News
March 12, 2020
|
|
Our Sunday Service
begins at 10:30 AM in the William Miller Sanctuary. All welcome to attend.
The Sunday Service will be held. Please watch your email for updates. An email will follow this newsletter with our recommended precautions regarding elements of the service.
The Humanist Forum
meets every Sunday at 9:30 AM in Hobart Hall. All are welcome to attend. Join us as we engage in a new topic each week.
Our Community Sharing
partner for March is
Visua
lity.
The mission of Visuality is to enhance and sustain the health and well-being of the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning communities and allies. They provide activities, programs, educational events, and services that create community, empower community members, provide essential resources, advocate for civil and human rights; and embrace, promote and support our cultural diversity. We strive to end violence, harassment and discrimination based on real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or sexual expression.
Our 5th Sunday community sharing donations will go to the
Minister's Discretionary
fund.
Sunday's Social Hour
happens after the service every week at 11:45 AM. Come join us for coffee and snacks in Hobart Hall. Newcomers, visitors, friends, and members are all welcome. Sponsoring groups are the Women's Circle and CUUPs. Donations of food, snacks, or cash are welcome.
Religious Education News
Our Many Windows program is back with specially selected offerings designed to feed your artistic spirit. Whether with music, movement, creation, story, or painting, our upcoming Many Windows sessions give everyone, of all ages, a chance to explore worship differently. Check out the schedule for March here:
OWL for grades 7-9 will be returning in August as a joint project with the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Naples. An informational potluck for all prospective families will be held in Hobart Hall on Friday, April 10 at 6:00 PM. Please email Jenn Blosser, Director of Religious Education for more information.
dre@uucfm.org
|
|
Transition Team Update
February 23rd was our first Member-to-Member Listening Group. Fifteen members attended. The questions asked were framed in appreciative inquiry style - concentrating on strengths instead of weaknesses. It was a moving experience listening to all our wonderful members speaking in such heartwarming and productive ways about their involvement at UUCFM.
The heart of our congregation is beating strong. We are holding Member-to-Member Listening Groups through April. We hope you join us to listen and share your stories about our congregation and the people who attend.
From these focus groups, we will have a strong idea of your visions for our congregation that will help us make recommendations to the Board of Trustees to move forward in finding a Developmental Minister and in creating effective solutions
together.
Our next planned groups are set for March 15, and April 5, 19, and 26. Listening Circle groups may be canceled for the next few weeks. Watch your email for details.
Sign-up sheets will be in the Narthex and in Hobart Hall. One of our Transition Team members will be roaming the campus each Sunday asking people if they would like to join us. Please feel free to email or call the members of the team if you have any questions.
Greeters Needed
We need Ushers and Greeters! Please think about volunteering to be an usher or greeter for any of the Sundays in March or April and beyond. We need you. We especially need greeters - before the service, and one greeter to stay in the lobby during the service to let in latecomers. Contact MaryGayle Skinner at
skinnermg@aol.com
.
|
|
Starting Sunday, March 15th and ending Saturday, March 21st, all of our classrooms will be closed for floor stripping and re-doing. If you have not received a temporary room assignment or cancellation notice from the Office Manager, please email officemanager@uucfm.org
|
|
Lee County Commissioner Forum March 12- Canceled!
On behalf of Pachamama Alliance of SWFL and our coalition of local climate change groups, we are sorry to announce that the Lee County Environmental Town Hall and BOCC Candidates forum we were hosting tonight, Thursday, March 12th is postponed due to COVID-129 and an "abundance of caution". Please help us spread the word. We will reschedule an environmental town hall with ALL BOCC Candidates as soon as we can. Until then, be well my friends! Stay home and take care of yourselves. May the Force be With You
|
|
All Church Aloha Gathering March 22nd-Canceled!
The Membership Committee has postponed the Aloha Gathering to a date to be determined. The Membership Committee will still be inducting new members during the March 22nd morning Sunday service, if the service is held.
|
|
Casino Night Fundraiser
Our Casino Night is Saturday, April 11th, from 7-11 Pm in Hobart Hall. We will have games such as Roulette, Black Jack, Wheel of Fortune, and Poker with $3,000 in starting chips. Light refreshments are compliments of our Scout Troop #3300 leaders. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at thedoor. Contact Denis Jensen for advance tickets, 215-880-1433,
dalanjensen@gmail.com
. Contact Tom Sizemore to help with the cash bar,
tsizemore258@gmail.com
Our Scout leaders need us to sell at least 40 tickets to make it worthwhile for their setup and administration. Please pick up a flyer from Denis Jensen to help us promote the event and bring friends and neighbors to this needed fundraiser. It is a fun night for all.
This event is still on at this time. Please watch your email for updates.
|
|
This event is still on at this time. Please watch your email for updates.
|
|
Groups & Classes
Women's Circle and Potluck -Canceled!
The Women's Circle Potluck speaker for March has postponed. We will not be holding the March 24th Women's Circle and Potluck. Please contact Linda Jensen at
lindajensen50@gmail.com if you have questions.
The
Men's Social Group
meets the second Tuesday of each month at 11:45 AM at Cross Creek Country Club (off Daniels at Cross Creek Blvd). This is time for UUCFM men to get together for fun, conversation, socialization, and lunch. Put this on your calendar and bring a friend. If you’re new to the UUCFM Men’s Social Group, please RSVP to Denis Jensen at
dalanjensen@gmail.com
This event is still on at this time. Please watch your email for updates.
Women Singing in Sacred Circle
Women Singing In Sacred Circle, facilitated by Shelley Graff, is an opportunity for each woman to look into her sister’s eyes and share voice and spirit through song. While learning short, repetitive women-centered and earth-based songs/chants from a wide variety of traditions, power rises from the center of the circle as all voices create an energy that is both empowering and healing.
This opportunity is intended to allow women, regardless of singing experience, to share their voices in a noncompetitive, relaxed safe space. Percussion instruments are welcome. Come sing along! We meet on most Tuesday evenings. Please contact Shelley Graff:
Exploring Life's Challenges
Join Wayne Leaver for a monthly support group to help you deal with difficult situations and decisions. The group is perfect for anyone who needs a little additional support dealing with loss, grief or other difficult issues. This group is sponsored by the Pastoral Care Committee. The next meeting of the group will be on Thursday, April 2, from 10 am-12 pm. The group is open to all and there is no charge. This is an opportunity to discuss life challenges and opportunities in a small group setting. We will support one another facing challenges and exploring life's opportunities. This is
not
a therapy group. We hope you will join. Please contact
marygcline@gmail.com
This event is still on at this time. Please watch your email for updates.
Crystal Bowl Meditation- Canceled!
The crystal bowl meditation with Mary Cline Golbitz on Thursday, March 12th from 4:00-5:00 PM in Room 7 has been canceled. Please contact
marygcline@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Caloosahatchee Mindfulness
and UUCFM members
invite participants to join our weekly meditation book group. The group meets weekly on Wednesdays from 10:00 to 11:30 AM in Room 3. Please contact Helen Leddy if you want to join.
The UUCFM Choir
rehearses most Wednesday nights from 6:30-8:00 pm, and some Sunday mornings at 9:30 in the sanctuary. It's free and there are no auditions. Come join us in singing! Contact Suellen Kipp for details:
music@uucfm.org
The UUCFM Band
rehearses most Wednesday nights from 5:45-6:15 pm, and some Sunday mornings at 9:00 in the Sanctuary. Are you interested in playing an instrument with the UUCFM band for worship? If so, please schedule an audition time with me by email. Come join us in making music together! Suellen Kipp, Director of Music.
music@uucfm.org
Mindfulness Meditation
Come explore the simple and satisfying practices of Mindfulness Meditation. You don’t need experience with meditation, nor do you have to be a Buddhist. Please bring intention to quiet the mind and body in a supportive group of UU members and friends with a similar intention - people who want to carry mindfulness into their daily lives. We meet
Mondays from 6:30-8:00 PM
. Contact Gary Robbins at 302-540-5899.
This event is still on at this time. Please watch your email for updates.
|
The Book Club
meets Wednesdays at 1:00 PM in the Library. All are welcome to join in facilitated discussion and group bonding. Our current book
is called
Braving The Wilderness
by Brene Brown.
This event is still on at this time. Please watch your email for updates.
|
|
News
Art in the Narthex
Susan Schmitt, our March Artist, has delighted in developing her artistic skills since she moved to Florida in 2009. A few years ago, she enjoyed painting pictures of growing up on a Maryland farm and created a book from them. Last year those pictures were shared in the Narthex. This year her show will include more paintings from nature. Currently Susan studies watercolor with Gail Martin at Shell Point CCRC
.
Each month a new artist will be featured on our Narthex wall. If you would like to be a member of this group and have your artwork featured, please email Priscilla at:
jeffcoatp@comcast.net
|
Guided Campus Walk
Walk with us after the Sunday service! Meet at 11:45 AM in front of Hobart Hall, and from there we’ll explore the 12.5 acre campus with stops in a classroom, the library, the sanctuary, memorial garden, the community gardens and more. Along the way we’ll share a bit UUCFM history and get to know each other. Reservations are necessary.
Contact
Patricia Linhoff
at
freckles345@comcast.net
|
South Fort Myers Food Pantry
How do we nurture those who are hungry? Give to the Food Pantry. We all have the power to make sure our neighbors go to sleep with a full stomach. When you think about people being hungry, do you think of people all over the world? Do you think about people who might be living close to you? The hungry exist everywhere - even in wealthy communities. Here are some things you can do:
|
|
1. Bring in non-perishable food every Sunday. Places like the Dollar Store have wonderful buys on soup and other canned fruit and vegetables. Look for BOGOs. Protein items are a good pick - canned meat or fish, meals in a can such as beef stew, spaghetti and meat balls, or ravioli. Some seniors like Ensure. Fran Rose informed us that the pantry is receiving less free food from USDA.
2. Start a great habit by giving up expensive coffee drinks and putting your savings into a jar to donate to the Pantry.
3. Put food items you buy for the pantry near your front door at home so you don't forget to bring them. The Food Pantry basket is in the Narthex (the large room before you enter the Sanctuary).
4. Respond to requests for all food drives even when all you may be able to afford is a jar of peanut butter.
5. And last, perk up when you hear the words 'food drive' and remember that your Social Justice Team is your vehicle to help nurture people who might otherwise go without. If you would rather give monetary donations to the South Fort Myers Food Pantry, send a check to: South Fort Myers Food Pantry Coalition, Inc., 8260 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33919.
Gratefully yours,
Social Justice Team
|
Service Auction Participants
Please help us. If you purchased these baskets in Live Auction, please contact Helen or Sheila: Basket: "When Life Gives you Lemons" Basket of Spa Creams or Basket of Italian Sparkling Wine with Chocolate.
helendixon9@gmail.com
or
lakenokomis1@aol.com
|
|
Member to Member
Thank yous, Rides needed, Free Items, Birth or Anniversary Announcements, Classifieds, Small Group Suggestions, Activity Ideas, Special pictures, and...Of Interest to UUs!
You asked for it! A place to post items of interest to fellow members is here! Please submit your post by Thursday mornings at 9 AM. Please keep posts short and to the point. All posts may be edited or removed by Office Manager at any time.
From Denis Jensen-
UUCFM Members aged 72 or older can save on their taxes by making pledge contributions directly from their IRAs. According to recent posted IRS tax information, IRA Account holders 72 or older who make a contribution directly from a traditional IRA to a qualified charity can donate up to $100,000 without it being considered a taxable distribution. The deduction effectively lowers the donor's adjusted gross income (AGI). The charity will also not pay taxes on the donation and the deduction can count as part of the donor’s minimum required distribution. The contribution must be made directly from your IRA, so be sure to set this up with your IRA provider and consult your tax advisor or preparer.
From Richard Shine-
Hi Family and Friends! The Fort Lauderdale Museum has an exhibition open right now titled
Through the Sawgrass: Women Impacting South Florida History
.
Genelle is featured in the exhibit, which held its opening yesterday. Genelle is prominently featured with a very lovely photo of her in back of the speakers' podium.
This is a magnificent well-earned recognition for her years of kind and magnanimous work, and instead of
his
tory, this is
her
story about all the women so recognized, is also about
her
itage, and about creativity and courage.
Congratulations, Genelle and all others celebrated, as well as all those among you who work hard for your families, for others, and for social justice.
|
|
 |
Did you know your purchases can help us? AmazonSmile donates to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers when you do your online shopping by following this special link to Amazon:
|
|
|
|
Want to Become a Member?
If you are interested in becoming a new member, please pick up a Membership Kit Sunday mornings in the Narthex or in the office during the week. You can also email
memberservices@uucfm.org
|
|
|
|
Our Greater Community
Please submit only articles regarding programs from our renters, community sharing partners, or greater UU news. Thank you!
Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Group
The Rissho Kosei-kai group meets Sundays at 2:00 PM in Room 1. We do not meet on 5th Sundays. Contact Mary Tracy Sigman at
marytracysigman115@gmail.com
|
|
Please send all newsletter articles by Wednesday at noon for publication in Thursday's newsletter. Send articles to
newsletter@uucfm.org
UUCFM | 13411 Shire Lane Fort Myers FL 33912
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
